Who’s Speaking at HR Retail Africa 2026

Nolo Thobejane

Nolo Thobejane is the Chief People, Culture and Purpose Officer for KFC Africa, overseeing the people agenda across Sub-Saharan Africa. In this role, she is responsible for driving cultural transformation, ensuring franchise partners live KFC’s values, and creating an environment where people are empowered to thrive — unlocking both individual potential and sustainable business growth.

A purposeful leader with more than 20 years of strategic and operational experience in retail, Nolo’s love for the quick service restaurant industry began in her university years, when she worked as a team member. That experience not only ignited her ambition, but also inspired her commitment to youth career development, female leadership, and building a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Nolo’s transformative approach has delivered game-changing initiatives that continue to shape the business. She has driven the Women on the Move programme, designed to advance and empower future leaders across the system, as well as the Streetwise Academy, a platform for youth empowerment and career growth. Both initiatives embody her belief that business success and human potential rise together.

For Nolo, every new KFC restaurant is more than a place to serve food — it is a catalyst for impact, creating up to 30 jobs and uplifting the communities in which it operates. With an MBA from GIBS and a deep passion for purpose-led leadership, Nolo continues to feed potential, fuel purpose, and shape a culture where people remain at the heart of KFC’s success